Director of The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives Tendaji Ganges laughs during a town hall meeting discussing Michigan's "Stand Your Ground Law" on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 at the Flint Public Library. After Ganges was put on administrative leave shortly before his employment ended, concerns were shared by community advocates.

(Flint Journal File Photo)

FLINT, MI – The University of Michigan-Flint will continue its diversity programs even after the departure of the administrator in charge of its office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives, says Chancellor Susan Borrego.

Tendaji Ganges, director of Educational Opportunity Initiatives, was put on administrative leave shortly before his employment at the university ended on Oct. 1.

One community advocate is concerned that without Ganges, the university will not make the under-served student population a priority. However, university officials say it will still be a major focus.

"There's a long history of inequities at the University of Michigan-Flint. Things have been going on for some time. What happened to Tendaji was pretty much a lightning rod," said Dawn Demps, a member of the diversity council at UM-Flint and executive director of Urban Center for Post-secondary Access and Success. "While I believe that the new chancellor is committed to equity in educational outcome, we want to make sure the institution is backing up that idea as a priority."

Demps, who created a note on Facebook asking people to take action after Ganges was put on administrative leave, said she doesn't know all the details behind what happened, but she's concerned about what the university will be doing next.

Ganges said he couldn't give much more insight on his departure at this time.

"I was placed administrative leave through Sept. 30," Ganges said, adding that the day was also his last for employment at UM-Flint. He declined further comment.

Although university officials said they can't speak about personnel matters, UM-Flint Chancellor Borrego said the office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives will continue to operate, with all programs continuing.

Looking at the university in the next several months should prove that, she said.

"The programs will continue and they will both broaden and deepen. We have work to do, related to diversity at the university. We have work to do regarding serving a more diverse community at the university," said Borrego, who started as chancellor on Aug. 4.

A letter was sent to the college campus Sept. 26 informing the college community that programs would not be stopped.

There will be continued focus on both access and success, Borrego said, which means access to the university and support during the transition into secondary education. Equity in education and a focus on diversity has been something Borrego has worked with for the past 20 years, she said.

Borrego said she doesn't know yet if another director for the office will be hired or if there will be restructuring, but programs will not be discontinued.

"I'm sorry for the distress in the community. Nobody wants to start this way," Borrego said. "We are committed to doing a better job here."

Ganges started the Educational Opportunity Initiatives office at UM-Flint roughly 20 years ago, Demps said. Since then, he has been a strong advocate for under-served students in the community, she said.

The department has helped thousands of low-income students and students of color to access the resources, scholarships, navigation skills and supports they need to successfully complete college, Demps said in her Facebook note.

The office's mission statement says the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives "is to foster changes in institutional services and climate and enhance the ability of the University of Michigan-Flint to identify, recruit, serve and graduate students of diverse backgrounds with a particular emphasis on students from underrepresented groups such as non-traditional, educationally and economically disadvantaged, and those from urban and other areas where the college access and success rates are significantly below the national average."

The university has lost a strong leader in Ganges, Demps said.

"He's known around the country for starting offices, and created programs for underrepresented students on campus to give them extra support they need to be successful in college," Demps said. "Students of color in the city of Flint come through the office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives (EOI). EOI is where most of the students at Beecher, Westwood Heights and Flint are getting the first experiences in colleges.

"Our best students should be going to that college. I'm concerned that there is no one to be a voice," she said.

Demps said she benefited from the office of Educational Opportunities Initiatives. It helped her transfer from Mott Community College, helped her with tutoring and many other things in order for her to be successful.

The office serves underserved populations, minority students and international students, among others, Demps said. It's an important office to have in the community, she said.

It should be a priority because many realize that to make a city successful, education is key, Demps said.